Fuel injector bracket assembly

Abstract

A bracket assembly is configured to secure a fuel injector to a mounting frame within a vehicle. The bracket assembly includes a single unitary main body formed from a single piece of stamped material. The main body includes a nozzle-engaging member configured to securely retain a nozzle of the fuel injector, and a fastener-engaging member configured to retain a fastener that secures the single unitary main body to the mounting frame.

1 . A bracket assembly configured to secure a fuel injector to a mounting frame within a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a single unitary main body formed from a single piece of stamped material, said single unitary main body including a nozzle-engaging member configured to securely retain a nozzle of the fuel injector, and a fastener-engaging member configured to retain a fastener that secures the single unitary main body to the mounting frame.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said single unitary main body further includes a folded end integrally connected to first and second truss fins, wherein said first and second truss fins mirror one another. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second truss fins are securely fastened together. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said first and second truss fins are bonded together. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener-engaging member comprises a first outwardly-bowed wall integrally connected to said first truss fin, and a second outwardly-bowed wall integrally connected to said second truss fin, wherein said first and second outwardly-bowed walls define a fastener passage therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said nozzle-engaging member comprises first and second nozzle-engaging prongs defining a nozzle-engaging area therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pre-captured fastener secured to said main body by said fastener-engaging member, wherein said main body is formed with said pre-captured fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said main body comprises at least one truss. 
     
     
         9 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said main body comprises a truss base having extension arms integrally connected to curved support beams through folded ends, wherein a nozzle-engaging area is defined between said extension arms and said curved support beams. 
     
     
         10 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said truss base is configured to lie flat along an upper surface of the mounting frame. 
     
     
         11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said main body is devoid of a securing pin configured to secure said main body to the mounting frame. 
     
     
         12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a planar wall integrally connects to said curved support beams, wherein a trailing beam integrally connects to said planar wall, and wherein said trailing beam abuts into an end of said truss base. 
     
     
         13 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a drawn compression limiter positioned between said planar wall and said truss base. 
     
     
         14 . A bracket assembly configured to secure a fuel injector to a mounting frame within a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a single unitary main body formed from a single piece of stamped material, said single unitary main body including:
 a folded end integrally connected to first and second truss fins, wherein said first and second truss fins mirror one another; 
 a first outwardly-bowed wall integrally connected to said first truss fin, and a second outwardly-bowed wall integrally connected to said second truss fin, wherein said first and second outwardly-bowed walls define a fastener passage therebetween; and 
 a first nozzle-engaging prong integrally connected to said first outwardly-bowed wall, and a second nozzle-engaging prong integrally connected to said second outwardly-bowed wall, wherein said first and second nozzle-engaging prongs defining a nozzle-engaging area therebetween, 
 wherein said single unitary main body is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis that bisects said folded end. 
   
     
     
         15 . The bracket assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second truss fins are securely fastened together to prevent said main body from spreading apart. 
     
     
         16 . The bracket assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said first and second truss fins are bonded together. 
     
     
         17 . The bracket assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a pre-captured fastener secured within said fastener passage, wherein said main body is formed with said pre-captured fastener. 
     
     
         18 . A bracket assembly configured to secure a fuel injector to a mounting frame within a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a single unitary main body formed from a single piece of stamped material, said single unitary main body including:
 a truss base having extension arms integrally connected to curved, flexible support beams through folded ends, wherein a nozzle-engaging area is defined between said extension arms and said curved, flexible support beams, wherein said truss base is configured to lie flat along an upper surface of the mounting frame; 
 a planar wall integrally connected to said curved, flexible support beams, wherein said planar wall and said truss base are located on different planes; and 
 a trailing beam integrally connected to said planar wall, and wherein said trailing beam abuts into an end of said truss base. 
   
     
     
         19 . The bracket assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said main body is devoid of a securing pin configured to secure said main body to the mounting frame. 
     
     
         20 . The bracket assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a drawn compression limiter positioned between said planar wall and said truss base.